There are six main islands in the Outer Hebridean chain with St Kilda, a smaller offshore island, lying further west in the Atlantic. Lewis and Harris, actually one island, are the most northerly and the largest of the remote island, where you'll find over 72 deserted white beaches, loch, crags and sheer cliffs and a dramatic rocky inland landscape..
The west coast of the Outer Hebrides islands has some of the most consistent surf in Europe, driven by the full impact of the North Atlantic swells. Dalmore beach is a top spot for surfers, whilst windsurfers hole up at Loch Mor Barvas North of Stornoway and kite-surfers head for the island of Barra. On Harris the cliffs, mountains and moorlands are formed from some of the oldest rock in the world.
The highest of the isolated Harris Hills, Clisham (799m) is hiking territory, whilst the beaches down the western side of Harris are perfect for easier, more relaxed, walks. Coasteering, canyoning and abseiling and gorge scrambling are all possible too, on this stretch of rugged coast.
The Hebridean cycle route (known as Butt to Barra) is a long distance route, cycling and island hopping by ferry from Barra in the south through South Uist, Benbecula and Harris and finally up to the Butt of Lewis in the north. Out west lies the World Heritage Site of St Kilda, a stunning locations for scuba divers to explore.
The Outer Hebrides
The Outer Hebrides, an archipelago of around 100 islands that border the northwest of Scotland, is rumoured to become the next New Zealand for adventure sports and wilderness destinations.
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- Written by: David
